Digital media message generation

ABSTRACT

A method of generating a digital media message includes receiving a first digital content segment via an electronic device, associating the first digital content segment with a first position in a play sequence, receiving a second digital content segment different from the first digital content segment, and receiving a third digital content segment different from the first and second digital content segments. The method also includes adding the second and third digital content segments to the play sequence such that the second digital content segment is presented simultaneously with at least one of the first and third digital content segments when the digital media message is played. Such a method further includes providing the digital media message for sharing with a remote electronic device.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE; DISCLAIMER

Each of the following applications are hereby incorporated by reference:application Ser. No. 14/683,779 filed on Apr. 10, 2015; application Ser.No. 14/569,169 filed on Dec. 12, 2014; application No. 62/042,114 filedon Aug. 26, 2014; application No. 62/038,493 filed on Aug. 18, 2014. TheApplicant hereby rescinds any disclaimer of claim scope in the parentapplication(s) or the prosecution history thereof and advises the USPTOthat the claims in this application may be broader than any claim in theparent application(s).

BACKGROUND

It is common for users of electronic devices to communicate with otherremote users by voice, email, text messaging instant messaging, and thelike. While these means of electronic communication may be convenient invarious situations, such means are only suited for transferring alimited amount of rich content between users. For instance, while textmessages and email may be used to transmit written dialogue betweenusers, and audio, video, web content, or other files may be transmittedwith the text or email messages as attachments, such files are notintegrated with the various components of the text or email message inany way.

As a result of these shortcomings, electronic device messagingapplications have been developed to assist the user in creating digitalmessages that include, for example, images, audio, or other content.However, the functionality of existing messaging applications islimited. For example, such applications generally do not enable the userto combine a wide array of digital content segments (e.g., an audiosegment and a digital image) such that two or more content segments,such as segments from different sources, can be presented to therecipient simultaneously as an integrated component of the digitalmessage. Additionally, such applications do not generally provide theuser with the ability to easily edit the digital message duringcreation. Further, while a variety of different audio and/or videoediting software is available, such software may be far too cumbersomefor use on mobile phones or other like electronic devices. Such videoediting software is also complicated and time consuming, and istypically not suitable for use in creating digital messages as a meansof communication between electronic device users.

For example, in order to enable conversational communication betweenusers, the digital messages must be created within a relatively narrowcreation window (i.e., a relatively high speed of creation). In somesituations, a one-minute creation window may be at the high end of thespectrum. However, existing audio and/or video editing software thatenables combining such media into single shareable file operate at a“project building” pace, often requiring dozens of steps and fallingoutside of the narrow creation window (i.e., a relatively low speed ofcreation) that typical conversational communication requires. As aresult, electronic device messaging applications have defaulted to onlysharing media items as disparate elements “attached to” but notintegrated or woven into the digital message.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward curingone or more of the deficiencies described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Thesame reference numbers in different figures indicate similar oridentical items.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative computing environmentfor implementing various embodiments of digital media messagegeneration.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of illustrative components in an exampleserver that may be used in an example digital media message generationenvironment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of illustrative components in an exampleelectronic device that may be used in an example digital media messagegeneration environment.

FIG. 4 shows an illustrative user interface screen displayed on anelectronic device that enables users to generate a portion of an exampledigital media message.

FIG. 5 shows another illustrative user interface screen displayed on anelectronic device that enables users to generate a portion of an exampledigital media message.

FIG. 6 shows still another illustrative user interface screen displayedon an electronic device that enables users to generate a portion of anexample digital media message.

FIG. 7 shows yet another illustrative user interface screen displayed onan electronic device that enables users to generate a portion of anexample digital media message.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate view of the user interface screen shown inFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows another illustrative user interface screen displayed on anelectronic device that enables users to generate a portion of an exampledigital media message.

FIG. 10 shows an illustrative user interface screen displayed on anelectronic device that enables users to share an example digital mediamessage.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an illustrative method of generating adigital media message.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of another illustrative method of generating adigital media message.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a further illustrative method of generatinga digital media message.

FIG. 14 shows an illustrative user interface screen displayed on anelectronic device, as well as example audio and video tracks.

FIG. 15 shows another illustrative user interface screen displayed on anelectronic device, as well as example audio and video tracks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

The disclosure is directed to devices and techniques for generatingdigital media messages that can be easily shared between users ofelectronic devices as a means of communication. The techniques describedherein enable users to combine a variety of different digital contentsegments into a single digital media message. For example, the user maycreate a digital media message by capturing audio content segments,video content segments, digital images, web content, and the like. Suchcontent segments may be captured by the user during generation of thedigital media message. Alternatively, such content segments may becaptured by the user prior to generating the digital media message andmay be saved in a memory of the electronic device for incorporation intothe digital media message at a later time. As part of generating thedigital media message, the user may select one or more of the digitalcontent segments for incorporation into the message and may associatethe selected content segments with respective positions in a playsequence of the digital media message. Additionally, the user may selecttwo or more of the digital content segments to be presentedsimultaneously when the digital media message is played by a recipientof the digital media message on a remote device. The user may also editor revise the digital content segments or various other portions of thedigital media message while the message is being generated.

In various embodiments, the devices and techniques described herein mayenable users of electronic devices to communicate by transmittingdigital media messages that include a rich, unique, and artfulcombination of digital content segments. Such content segments may becombined in response to, for example, a series of simple touch gesturesreceived from a user of the electronic device. For example, duringgeneration of a digital media message at least part of a video track ofan underlying digital video segment of a first digital content segmentmay be replaced with a digital image or other second digital contentsegment. In such examples, a combined segment may be formed by replacinga part of a first digital content segment with a second digital contentsegment. Methods of generating such digital media messages may be farsimpler and less time consuming than using, for example, known audioand/or video editing software. Additionally, methods of generating suchdigital media messages may enable users to combine and present multipledigital content segments in ways that are not possible using existingmessaging applications. Example methods of the present disclosure mayalso enable the user to edit or revise such digital media messagesduring creation with relative ease and simplicity.

In addition, replacing, for example, part of a video track of anunderlying digital video segment with a digital image may reduce thefile size of the digital video segment and/or of a combined segmentformed by combining the digital image with the digital video segment. Inparticular, the replaced portion of the video track typically maytypically be rendered at approximately 300 frames/second for a durationof the portion of the video track, and may be characterized by acommensurate memory and/or file size (e.g., in bytes). The selecteddigital image, on the other hand, may comprise a single frame that maybe rendered for the duration of the replaced portion of the video track.Thus, replacing a portion of the video track of the underlying digitalvideo segment with the digital image may reduce the number offrames/second of the underlying video segment, thereby reducing filesize thereof. As a result, a digital media message generated using suchtechniques may have a smaller file size and may require/take up lessmemory than a corresponding digital media message generated using theunderlying digital video segment with the video track unchanged (e.g.,without replacing a portion of the video track with a selected digitalimage).

Reducing the file size and/or memory requirements of digital mediamessages in this way has many technical effects and/or advantages. Forexample, such a reduction in file size and/or memory requirements willenable the various networks, servers, and/or electronic devicesdescribed herein to transfer such digital media messages more quicklyand with fewer network, server, and/or device resources. As a result,such a reduction in file size and/or memory requirements will reduceoverall network load/traffic, and will improve network, server, and/orelectronic device performance. As another example, such a reduction infile size and/or memory requirements will enable the various networks,servers, and/or electronic devices described herein to provide, render,display, and/or otherwise process such digital media messages morequickly and with fewer network, server, and/or device resources. Inparticular, such a reduced file size may reduce the server and/orelectronic device memory required to receive and/or store such messages.Such a reduced file size may also reduce the processor load required toprovide, render, display, and/or otherwise process such digital mediamessages. As a result, such a reduction in file size and/or memoryrequirements will reduce overall network load/traffic, and will improvenetwork, server, and/or electronic device performance and efficiency.

Illustrative environments, devices, and techniques for generatingdigital media messages are described below. However, the describedmessage generation techniques may be implemented in other environmentsand by other devices or techniques, and this disclosure should notinterpreted as being limited to the example environments, devices, andtechniques described herein.

Illustrative Architecture

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative computing environment100 for implementing various embodiments of digital media messagegeneration. The computing environment 100 may include server(s) 102 andone or more electronic devices 104(1)-104(N) (collectively “electronicdevices 104”) that are communicatively connected by a network 106. Thenetwork 106 may be a local area network (“LAN”), a larger network suchas a wide area network (“WAN”), or a collection of networks, such as theInternet. Protocols for network communication, such as TCP/IP, may beused to implement the network 106. Although embodiments are describedherein as using a network such as the Internet, other distributiontechniques may be implemented that transmit information via memorycards, flash memory, or other portable memory devices.

A media message engine 108 on the electronic devices 104 and/or a mediamessage engine 110 on the server(s) 102 may receive one or more digitalcontent segments 112(1)-112(N) (collectively, “digital content segments112” or “content segments 112”) and may generate one or more digitalmedia messages 114 (or “media messages 114”) based on the contentsegments 112. In example embodiments, the media message engine 108 mayreceive one or more content segments 112 via interaction of a user 116with an electronic device 104. In some embodiments, the media messageengine 108 may provide such content segments 112 to the media messageengine 110 on the server 102, via the network 106, to generate at leasta portion of the media message 114. Alternatively, at least a portion ofthe media message 114 may be generated by the media message engine 108of the respective electronic device 108. In either example, the mediamessage 114 may be directed to one or more additional electronic devices118(1)-118(N) (collectively “electronic devices 118”) via the network106. Such electronic devices 118 may be disposed at a location remotefrom the electronic devices 104, and one or more users 120 may consumethe digital media message 114 via one or more of the electronic devices118.

Each of the electronic devices 104 may include a display component, adigital camera, and an audio input and transmission component. Suchaudio input and transmission components may include one or moremicrophones. The electronic devices 104 may also include hardware and/orsoftware that support voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as well as anyof the display, input, and/or output components described herein. Eachof the electronic devices 104 may further include a web browser thatenables the user 116 to navigate to a web page via the network 106. Insome embodiments, the user 116 may generate and/or capture one or moredigital content segments 112 using, for example, the camera and themicrophone. For example, the user 116 may capture one or more digitalimages using the camera and/or may capture one or more video clips usingthe camera in conjunction with the microphone. Additionally, each webpage may present content that the user 116 may capture via theelectronic device 104, using various copy and/or save commands includedin the web browser of the electronic device 104, and the user mayincorporate such content into one or more content segments 112. Any ofthe content segments 112 described herein may be provided to one or bothof the media message engines 108, 110, and the media message engines108, 110 may incorporate such content segments 112 into the mediamessage 114.

Upon receiving the content segments 112 described herein, the mediamessage engines 108, 110 may tag the respective content segments 112with associated metadata. The associated metadata may include profileinformation about the type of content (e.g., image, video, audio, text,animation, etc.), the source of the content segment 112 (e.g., camera,microphone, internet web page, etc.), and/or a position in a playsequence of the digital media message 114 with which the content segment112 is to be associated.

The media message engines 108, 110 described herein may integrate and/orotherwise combine two or more digital content segments 112 to form thedigital media message 114. In some examples, the digital contentsegments 112 may be presented to the user sequentially when the mediamessage 114 is played. Alternatively, the media message engines 108, 110may combine two or more digital content segments 112 such that thecombined digital content segments 112 are presented simultaneously whenthe media message 114 is played. The media message engines 108, 110 mayalso distribute the finalized media message 114 to one or more of theelectronic devices 118. Various example components and functionality ofthe media message engines 108, 110 will be described in greater detailbelow with respect to, for example, FIGS. 2 and 3.

In various embodiments, the electronic devices 104, 118 may include amobile phone a portable computer, a tablet computer, an electronic bookreader device (an “eBook reader device”), or other devices. Each of theelectronic devices 104, 118 may have software and hardware componentsthat enable the display of digital content segments 112, eitherseparately or combined, as well as the various digital media messages114 described herein. The electronic devices 104, 118 noted above aremerely examples, and other electronic devices that are equipped withnetwork communication components, data processing components, electronicdisplays for displaying data, and audio output capabilities may also beemployed.

Example Server

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of illustrative components in exampleserver(s) 102 of the present disclosure. The server(s) 102 may includeone or more processor(s) 202 and memory 204. The memory 204 may includecomputer readable media. Computer readable media may include volatileand non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.As defined herein, computer readable media does not includecommunication media in the form of modulated data signals, such ascarrier waves, or other transmission mechanisms.

The media message engine 110 may be a hardware or a software componentof the server(s) 102 and in some embodiments, the media message engine110 may comprise a component of the memory 204. As shown in FIG. 2, insome embodiments the media message engine 110 may include one or more ofa content presentation module 206, a segment collection module 208, ananalysis module 210, an integration module 212, and a distributionmodule 214. The modules may include routines, programs instructions,objects, and/or data structures that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. The server(s) 102 may alsoimplement a data store 216 that stores data, digital content segments112, and/or other information or content used by the media messageengine 110.

The content presentation module 206 may enable a human reader to selectdigital content segments 112 for the purpose of including the selecteddigital content segments 112 in a digital media message 114. In variousembodiments, the content presentation module 206 may present a web pageto a user 116 of an electronic device 104, such as via the network 106.In further embodiments, the content presentation module 206 may presentdigital content, information, and/or one or more digital contentsegments 112 to the user 116 of an electronic device 104 via the network106. The content presentation module 206 may also enable the user 116 toselect content, information, and/or one or more digital content segments112. Once the user 116 has selected, for example, a digital contentsegment 112, the content presentation module 206 may present furthercontent, information, and/or digital content segments 112 to the user116. The content presentation module 206 may also tag the selecteddigital content segment 112 for inclusion in the digital media message114.

The segment collection module 208 may collect audio recordings, videorecordings, images, files, web content, audio files, video files, webaddresses, and/or other digital content segments 112 identified,selected, and/or captured by the user 116. Additionally, the segmentcollection module 208 may label each digital content segment 112 withmetadata. The metadata may include profile information about the type ofcontent (e.g., image, video, audio, text, animation, etc.), the sourceof the content segment 112 (e.g., camera, microphone, internet web page,etc.), and/or a position in a play sequence of the digital media message114 with which the content segment 112 is to be associated. For example,the metadata for an audio recording may include identificationinformation identifying the digital content segment 112 as comprising anaudio recording, information indicating that the digital content segment112 was captured using a microphone of an electronic device 104,information indicating the date and time of recordation, the length ofthe recording, and/or other information. Such metadata may be providedto the content presentation module 206 by the segment collection module208 or alternatively, such metadata may be provided to the segmentcollection module 208 by the content presentation module 206.

The analysis module 210 may be used by the segment collection module 208to determine whether a collected content segment 112 meets certainquality criteria. In various embodiments, the quality criteria mayinclude whether a background noise level in the content segment 112 isbelow a maximum noise level, whether video and/or image quality in thecontent segment 112 is above a minimum pixel or other like qualitythreshold, and so forth.

The integration module 212 may use at least a portion of the metadatadescribed above to assess and/or otherwise determine which contentsegment 112 to select for integration into the digital media message114. Additionally or alternatively, the integration module 212 may useresults received from the analysis module 210 to make one or more suchdeterminations. Such determinations may be provided to the user 116 ofthe electronic device 104 while a digital media message 114 is beinggenerated as a way of guiding the user with regard to the combination ofone or more content segments 112. For instance, the integration module212 may provide advice, suggestions, or recommendations to the user 116as to which content segment 112 to select for integration into thedigital media message 114 based on one or more of the factors describedabove.

The distribution module 214 may facilitate presentation of the digitalmedia message 114 to one or more users 120 of the electronic devices118. For example, once completed, the distribution module 214 may directthe digital media message 114 to one or more of the electronic devices118 via the network 106. Additionally or alternatively, the distributionmodule 214 may be configured to direct one or more digital contentsegments 112 between the servers 102 and one or more of the electronicdevices 104. In such embodiments, the distribution module 214 maycomprise one or more kernels, drivers, or other like componentsconfigured to provide communication between the servers 102 and one ormore of the electronic devices 104, 118.

The data store 216 may store any of the metadata, content, information,or other data utilized in creating one or more content segments 112and/or digital media messages 114. For example, the data store 216 maystore any of the images, video files, audio files, web links, media, orother content that is captured or otherwise received via the electronicdevice 104. Such content may be, for example, provided to the data store216 via the network during creation of a content segment 112 and/or adigital media message 114. Alternatively, such content may be providedto the data store 216 prior to generating a content segment 112 and/or adigital media message 114. In such examples, such content may beobtained and/or received from the data store 216 during generation of acontent segment 112 and/or a digital media message 114.

In example embodiments, one or more modules of the media message engine110 described above may be combined or omitted. Additionally, one ormore modules of the media message engine 110 may also be included in themedia message engine 108 of the electronic device 104. As a result, theexample methods and techniques of the present disclosure, such asmethods of generating a digital media message, may be performed solelyon either the server 102 or one of the electronic devices 104.Alternatively, in further embodiments, methods and techniques of thepresent disclosure may be performed, at least in part, on both theserver 102 and one of the electronic devices 104.

Example Electronic Device

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of illustrative components in an exampleelectronic device 104 that is used to prepare and/or consume digitalcontent segments 112 and digital media messages 114. As noted above, theelectronic device 104 shown in FIG. 3 may include one or more of thecomponents described above with respect to the server 102 such thatdigital content segments 112 and/or digital media messages 114 may becreated and/or consumed solely on the electronic device 104.Additionally and/or alternatively, the electronic device 104 may includeone or more processor(s) 302 and memory 304. The memory 304 may includecomputer readable media. Computer readable media may include volatileand non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.As defined herein, computer readable media does not includecommunication media in the form of modulated data signals, such as acarrier wave, or other transmission mechanisms.

Similar to the memory 204 of the server 102, the memory 304 of theelectronic device 104 may also include a media message engine 110, andthe engine 110 may include any of the modules or other componentsdescribed above with respect to the media message engine 108.Additionally or alternatively, the media message engine 110 of theelectronic device 104 may include one or more of a content interfacemodule 306, a content display module 308, a user interface module 310,and a data store 312 similar to the data store 216 described above. Themodules may include routines, programs, instructions, objects, and/ordata structures that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. The electronic device 104 may also include one ormore cameras, microphones, displays (e.g., a touch screen display),keyboards, mice, touch pads, proximity sensors, capacitance sensors, orother user interface devices 314.

The content interface module 306 may enable the user to request anddownload content, digital content segments 112, or other informationfrom the server(s) 102 and/or from the internet. The content interfacemodule 306 may download such content via any wireless or wiredcommunication interfaces, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet,Bluetooth•, Wi-Fi, and/or the like. Additionally, the content interfacemodule 306 may include and/or enable one or more search engines or otherapplications on the electronic device 104 to enable the user 116 tosearch for images, video, audio, and/or other content to be included ina digital media message 114.

The content display module 308 may present content, digital contentsegments 112, digital media messages 114, or other information on adisplay of the electronic device 104 for viewing. In variousembodiments, the content display module 308 may provide functionalitiesthat enable the user 116 to manipulate individual digital contentsegments 112 or other information as a digital media message 114 isbeing generated. For example, the content display module 308 may provideediting functionality enabling the user 116 to delete, move, modify,augment, cut, paste, copy, save, or otherwise alter portions of eachdigital content segment 112 as part of generating a digital mediamessage 114.

Example User Interfaces

FIG. 4 shows an illustrative user interface 400 that enables the user116 to generate a digital media message 114. For example, the userinterface 400 may be displayed on an electronic device 104 that enablesusers to create, capture, search for, and/or select digital contentsegments 112, and to generate and/or consume digital media messages 114.The user interface 400 may be displayed, for example, on a display 402of the electronic device 104. In some examples, the user interface 400may be a web page that is presented to the user 116 via a web browser onthe electronic device 104. Alternatively, the user interface 400 may bean interface generated and provided by the content display module 308 aspart of a digital media message generation application operating locallyon the electronic device 104. For the duration of this disclosure,example embodiments in which the user interface 400 is generated andprovided by the content display module 308 and/or the message generationengine 108 as part of a digital media message generation applicationoperating locally on the electronic device 104 will be described unlessotherwise noted.

As shown, the message generation engine 108 may present a user interface400 that includes a first portion 404 displaying an image 406, and asecond portion 408 that includes one or more thumbnails 410(1)-410(N)(collectively “thumbnails 410”). In example embodiments, the image 406displayed in the first portion 404 may be one or more images, photos, orfirst frames of a video stored in the memory 304 of the electronicdevice 104. Alternatively, the content display module 308 may presentone or more images 406 in the first portion 404 that are obtained inreal time via, for example, a camera or other user interface device 314of the electronic device 104. For example, the first portion 404 mayprovide an image 406 of objects that are within a field of view of thecamera, and at least the first portion 404 may be receptive to userinput such as, for example, touch input.

As will be described in greater detail below, the message generationengine 108 may receive input from a user of the electronic device 104via either the first portion 404 or the second portion 408. In someembodiments, such input may comprise one or more gestures such as atouch and hold command within the first portion 404. Receipt of such aninput in the first portion 404 may cause the message generation engine108 to capture and/or otherwise receive a first digital content segment112 via, for example, the camera or other user interface device 314 ofthe electronic device 104. In such embodiments, the received digitalcontent segment 112 may be displayed within the first portion 404 as thecontent segment 112 is being recorded and/or otherwise captured by thecamera. The message generation engine 108 may associate the digitalcontent segment 112 with a desired position in a play sequence of adigital media message 114.

Additionally and/or alternatively, the message generation engine 108 mayreceive input from the user of the electronic device 104 that includes atouch and hold command on one or more of the thumbnails 410 provided inthe second portion 408. Receipt of such an input in the second portion408 may cause the message generation engine 108 to receive a videosegment and/or an image associated with the respective thumbnail 410 forinclusion in the digital media message 114. The message generationengine 108 may also associate digital content segments 112 receives byselection of one or more of the thumbnails 410 with the respectivedesired position in the play sequence of the digital media message 114.

In example embodiments, each of the thumbnails 410 may be representativeand/or otherwise indicative of a respective photo, image, and/or videostored in the memory 304. For example, such content may have beencaptured by a user 116 of the electronic device 104 prior to commencinggeneration of the digital media message 114. Alternatively, one or morephotos, images, videos, and/or other content corresponding to one ormore of the thumbnails 410 may be captured during generation of thedigital media message 114. Thus, in some embodiments, the second portion408 may comprise a scrollable thumbnail library including respectivethumbnails 410 that may be selected by the user 116 for inclusion in thedigital media message 114.

As shown in FIG. 4, the user interface 400 may also include one or morecontrols configured to assist the user 116 in capturing one or moredigital content segments 112, modifying one or more of the digitalcontent segments, and/or generating one or more digital media messages114. For example, the user interface 400 may include a zoom control 412configured to enlarge or reduce, for example, the size of the image 406shown in the first portion 404 and/or to enlarge or reduce the size ofthe first portion 404 itself. The user interface 400 may also include auser interface device control 414 configured to control one or moreoperations of a user interface devices 314 of the electronic device 104.For example, the user interface device control 414 may be configured tocontrol activation of one or more cameras of the device 104. Inparticular, the user interface device control 414 may be configured toselect and/or toggle between a first camera of the electronic device 14on a first side of the electronic device 104 and a second camera on asecond side of the electronic device 104 opposite the first side.

The user interface 400 may also include a plurality of additionalcontrols including one or more navigation controls 416 and/or one ormore editing controls 418. For example, the user interface 400 mayinclude a navigation control 416 that, upon selection thereof by theuser 116, may enable the user to browse backward or forward betweendifferent user interfaces 400 while generating a digital media message114. For example, a first navigation control 416 may comprise a “back”control while a second navigation control 416 may comprise a “forward”control.

Additionally, one or more of the editing controls 418 may enable a user116 to add, remove, cut, paste, draw, rotate, flip, shade, color, fade,darken, and/or otherwise modify various aspects of the digital mediamessage 114 and/or various digital content segments 112. For example,one or more of the editing controls 418 may comprise an “undo” controlthat enables the user 116 to delete and/or otherwise remove one or moredigital content segments 112 from a play sequence of the digital mediamessage 114. Although a variety of different controls have beendescribed above with regard to the user interface 400, it is understoodthat in further example embodiments one or more additional controls maybe presented to the user 116 by the media message engine 108. Forexample, such editing controls 418 may further comprise any audio,video, image, or other editing tools known in the an. In some examples,at least one of the controls described herein may be configured tomodify a first digital content segment 112 before a second, third, orother additional digital content segment 112 is received by the mediamessage engine 108.

The user interface 400 may also include a message bar 420 configured toprovide guidance to the user 116 before, during, and/or after generationof the digital media message 114. For example, the message bar 420 mayprovide instructions to the user 116 and/or other guidance related touse of one or more of the controls described above, next steps to betaken in order to generate the digital media message 114, the completionstatus of the digital media message 114, and/or other information. Asshown in FIG. 4, in example embodiments the message bar 420 may bedisposed between the first portion 404 and the second portion 408.Alternatively, in further example embodiments the message bar 420 may bedisposed above the first portion 404, below the second portion 408,and/or at any other position on the user interface 400. In an exampleembodiment, the message bar 420 may instruct the user 116 to touch andhold, for example, the first portion 404 or the second portion 408 inorder to begin generating a digital media message 114.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example user interface 500 of the presentdisclosure. In example embodiments, the media message engine 108 mayprovide such an example user interface 500 during the process ofgenerating a digital media message 114 and, for example, after at leastone digital content segment 112 has been received by the media messageengine 108 via the electronic device 104. For example, the userinterface 500 may include visual indicia of a play sequence 502associated with the digital media message 114 that is currently beinggenerated. Such visual indicia may include a first portion correspondingto a first digital content segment 112 received by the media messageengine 108, and at least one additional portion corresponding to arespective additional digital content segment 112 received by the mediamessage engine 108.

In some examples, the visual indicia of the play sequence 502 mayinclude one or more thumbnails 504 illustrating and/or otherwiseindicative of respective digital content segments 112 that havepreviously been added to and/or otherwise associated with the digitalmedia message 114. In example embodiments, the visual indicia of theplay sequence 502 may include various thumbnails 504 provided in thesequential order in which each respective content segment 112 has beenreceived by the media message engine 108. For example, digital contentsegments 112 received earlier in time during the generation of a digitalmedia message 114 may be represented by respective thumbnails 504disposed further to the left-hand side of the display 402 thanadditional thumbnails 504 representing respective digital contentsegments 112 received relatively later in time. Further, in exampleembodiments each respective thumbnail 504 may illustrate one or morescenes from a video, a representation of a photo or image, and/or anyother visual representation of the respective digital content segment112 to which the thumbnail 504 corresponds. In this way, the thumbnails504 provided as part of the visual indicia of the play sequence 502 mayassist the user 116 in recalling the content and/or general flow of thedigital media message 114 during creation thereof. The example thumbnail504 illustrated in FIG. 5 is representative of, for example, the image406 described above with respect to FIG. 4. In such an example, a video,photo, image, or other such content associated with a digital contentsegment 112 received via the user interface 400 of FIG. 4 may, forexample, be associated with a first position in the play sequenceassociated with the user interface 500 of FIG. 5.

The user interface 500 may also include one or more controls associatedwith the visual indicia of the play sequence 502. For example, suchcontrols may include a play control 506. In example embodiments, theplay control 506 may be configured to play, display, and/or otherwiseprovide a preview of the digital media message 114 to the user via, forexample, the first portion 404 of the display 402. In such embodiments,the media message engine 108 may play one or more portions of thedigital media message 114 currently being generated in response toreceiving a touch input and/or other input via the play control 506. Insome embodiments, further functionality may be provided to the user 116via the play control 506 and/or via one or more additional controlsassociated with the play control 506.

For example, the play control 506 and/or other associated controls mayenable the user 116 to increase or decrease the speed at which thepreview of the digital media message 114 is provided. The play control506 and/or other associated controls may also enable the user 116 toskip between multiple digital content segments 112 associated with thecorresponding play sequence. Additionally, the play control 506 and/orother associated controls may enable the user 116 to pause the previewof the digital media message 114. In examples in which suchfunctionality is provided via the play control 506, such functionalitymay be accessed via multiple taps, multiple touches, or other gesturessuch as swipe gestures, and the like received via the first portion 404.Alternatively, in examples in which such functionality is provided viaone or more additional play controls, such additional play controls maybe rendered, displayed, and/or otherwise provided via the display 402 ata location, for example, proximate the play control 506.

As shown in FIG. 5, in some examples the media message engine 108 mayprovide an image 508 to the user 116 via the first portion 404. In suchexamples, the image 508 may correspond to one or more of the thumbnails410 shown in the second portion 408. For example, in some embodimentsthe user 116 may select a thumbnail 410 of the second portion 408 bytouching and/or holding the desired thumbnail 410 with the hand 422 ofthe user 116. When such a thumbnail 410 is selected in this way, animage 508 corresponding to the selected thumbnail 410 may be displayedin the first portion 404. For example, the media message engine 108 mayreceive at least one digital content segment 112 in response toselection of one or more such thumbnails 410 by the user 116. In exampleembodiments, when one or more of the thumbnails 410 is selected in thisway, the media message engine 108 may not only receive a first digitalcontent segment 112 comprising a photo, video, image, and/or othercontent corresponding to the selected thumbnail 410, but may alsoreceive a different additional content segment 112 while the surfaceand/or portion of the display 402 corresponding to the thumbnail 410 iscontacted by the hand 422 of the user 116.

For example, in such embodiments the additional digital content segment112 may comprise audio or other like input captured by a microphone orother user interface device 314 of the electronic device 104 while thesurface and/or portion of the display 402 corresponding to the thumbnail410 is contacted by the hand 422 of the user 116. In such embodiments,both of the respective digital content segments may be added to the playsequence of the digital media message 114 such that the respectivedigital content segments 112 are presented simultaneously when thedigital media message 114 is played. As shown in FIG. 5, the image 508may correspond to the thumbnail 410(2) currently being contacted by thehand 422 of the user 116.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further user interface 600 provided by the mediamessage engine 108. In example embodiments, the media message engine 108may provide such an example user interface 600 during the process ofgenerating a digital media message 114 and, for example, after aplurality of digital content segments 112 have been received by themedia message engine 108 via the electronic device 104. For example, theuser interface 600 may include visual indicia of the play sequence 502that includes the thumbnail 504 described above with respect to FIG. 5,as well as a thumbnail 602 illustrating and/or otherwise indicative of adigital content segment 112 associated with the image 508 describedabove with respect to FIG. 5.

As noted above, the various thumbnails 504, 602 included in the visualindicia of the play sequence 502 may be provided in the sequential orderin which each respective content segment 112 has been received by themedia message engine 108. For example, the thumbnail 504 is disposedfurther to the left-hand side of the display 402 than the thumbnail 602,thereby indicating that a digital content segments 112 corresponding tothe thumbnail 504 was received earlier in time than a digital contentsegment 112 corresponding to the thumbnail 602.

As shown in FIG. 6, in some examples the media message engine 108 mayprovide an image 604 to the user 116 via the first portion 404. In suchexamples, the image 604 may correspond to one or more of the thumbnails410 shown in the second portion 408. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG. 6 the user 116 may select a thumbnail 410(3) of the second portion408 by touching and/or holding a section and/or surface of the display402 associated with the desired thumbnail 410(3). As described abovewith respect to FIG. 5, when such a thumbnail 410(3) is selected by theuser 116 in this way, the image 604 corresponding to the selectedthumbnail 410(3) may be displayed in the first portion 404.

For example, the media message engine 108 may receive at least onedigital content segment 112 in response to selection of one or more suchthumbnails 410(3) by the user 116. In example embodiments, when thethumbnails 410(3) is selected in this way, the media message engine 108may not only receive a first digital content segment 112 comprising aphoto, video, image, and/or other content corresponding to the selectedthumbnail 410(3), but may also receive a different second contentsegment 112 while the surface and/or portion of the display 402corresponding to the thumbnail 410(3) is contacted by the hand 422 ofthe user 116. For example, in such embodiments the second digitalcontent segment 112 may comprise audio or other like input captured by amicrophone or other user interface device 314 of the electronic device104 while the surface and/or portion of the display 402 corresponding tothe thumbnail 410(3) is contacted by the hand 422 of the user 116. Insuch embodiments, receiving such first and second content segments 112may cause, for example, the media message engine 108 or other componentsof the electronic device 104 to store at least one of the first andsecond content segments 112 in the memory 304 and/or in the memory 204of the server 102. In some embodiments, the first digital contentsegment 112 may be stored separately from the second digital contentsegment 112. Additionally, the first and second digital content segments112 may be added to the play sequence of the digital media message 114such that the respective digital content segments 112 are presentedsimultaneously when the digital media message 114 is played.

In particular, in example embodiments in which the first digital contentsegment 112 comprises a photo, video, image, audio, and/or other contentcorresponding to the selected thumbnail 410(3), and a second digitalcontent segment 112 comprises an audio segment, a video segment, orother like input captured by a user interface device 314 of theelectronic device 104 while the surface and/or portion of the display402 corresponding to the thumbnail 410(3) is contacted by the hand 422,the media message engine 108 may combine such first and second digitalcontent segments 112. By combining such digital content segments, thesecond digital content segment 112 (e.g., an audio segment or a videosegment) may be presented simultaneously with the first digital contentsegment 112 (e.g., a photo, video, image, audio, or other content) whenthe digital media message 114 is played. Combining digital contentsegments 112 in this way may include generating a combined segment thatis configured such that, for example, audio from the second contentsegment 112 described above is presented simultaneously with at leastone of a photo, video, image, audio, or other content of the firstcontent segment 112 when a portion of the digital media message 114corresponding to the combined segment is played. In such examples, themedia message engine 108 may associate the combined segment with anyposition in the play sequence desired by the user 116.

Further, the user interface 600 may also include one or more controlsconfigured to enable the user 116 to share the digital media message 112with other users, such as users 120 of remote electronic devices 118.For example, the user interface 600 may include one or more sharecontrols 606. In example embodiments, when one or more such sharecontrols 606 is actuated by the user 116, the media message engine 108may provide, such as via the display 402, a plurality of additionalcontrols configured to assist the user 116 in providing the digitalmedia message 114 for sharing with a remote electronic device 118. Suchadditional controls will be described in greater detail below.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another example user interface 700 of the presentdisclosure. In example embodiments, the media message engine 108 mayprovide such an example user interface 700 during the process ofgenerating a digital media message 114 and, for example, after a finaldigital content segment 112 has been received by the media messageengine 108 via the electronic device 104. For example, the userinterface 700 may include visual indicia of the play sequence 502 thatincludes the thumbnails described above with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6,as well as a thumbnail 702 illustrating and/or otherwise indicative of adigital content segment 112 associated with the image 604.

The user interface 700 may also include an image 704, and the image 704may be one or more images, photos, or first frames of a video stored inthe memory 304 of the electronic device 104. Alternatively, the contentdisplay module 308 may present one or more images 704 in the firstportion 404 that are obtained in real time via, for example, a camera orother user interface device 314 of the electronic device 104. Forexample, the first portion 404 may provide an image 704 of objects thatare within a field of view of the camera.

FIG. 8 illustrates still another example user interface 800 of thepresent disclosure. In example embodiments, the media message engine 108may provide such an example user interface 800 in response to receivingone or more inputs via one or more of the controls described above. Forexample, the media message engine 108 may receive a touch input or othersuch input indicative of selection of the zoom control 412. In responseto receiving such an input, the media message engine 108 may provide anenlarged (i.e, zoomed in) image 802 via the display 402. The enlargedimage 802 may comprise, for example, a larger version of the image 704described above with respect to FIG. 7. The image 802 may be one or moreimages, photos, or first frames of a video stored in the memory 304 ofthe electronic device 104. Alternatively, the content display module 308may present one or more enlarged images 802 obtained in real time via,for example, a camera or other user interface device 314 of theelectronic device 104.

In addition, the user interface 800 may include visual indicia of theplay sequence of the digital media message 114, and such visual indiciamay be in the form of a status bar 804. As noted above with respect to,for example, FIG. 5, such visual indicia may include a first portioncorresponding to a first digital content segment 112 and a secondportion corresponding to a second digital content segment 112. However,as shown in FIG. 8, in some embodiments, such portions may comprise aplurality of respective blocks 806(1), 806(2), 806(3) (collectively,“blocks 806”) having shading, coloring, patterns, designs, images,shapes, sizes, or other respective characteristics enabling the user tovisually distinguish between the respective blocks 806. Although thestatus bar 804 shown in FIG. 8 includes three blocks 806 (block 806(1)corresponding to a first digital content segment 112 associated with thethumbnail 504, block 806(2) corresponding to a second digital contentsegment 112 associated with the thumbnail 602, and block 806(3)corresponding to a third digital content segment 112 associated with thethumbnail 702), in further example embodiments, the status bar 804 mayinclude greater than or less than three blocks 806 depending on, forexample, the number of digital content segments 112 to be included inthe digital media message 114. In such example embodiments, the statusbar 804 illustrated in FIG. 8 may be a convenient way for the user 116to visualize the configuration, length, and/or other characteristics ofthe play sequence of such a digital media message 114 while the enlargedimage 802 is being displayed.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example user interface 900 of the presentdisclosure. In example embodiments, the media message engine 108 mayprovide such an example user interface 900 in response to receiving oneor more inputs via one or more of the controls described above. Forexample, the media message engine 108 may receive a touch input or othersuch input indicative of selection of the share control 606. In responseto receiving such an input, the media message engine 108 may provide animage 902 via the display 402. Such an image 902 may comprise, forexample, one or more images, photos, or first frames of a video storedin the memory 304 of the electronic device 104. Alternatively, asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 7, the content display module 308may present one or more images 902 in the first portion 404 that areobtained in real time via, for example, a camera or other user interfacedevice 314 of the electronic device 104. For example, the first portion404 may provide an image 902 of objects that are within a field of viewof the camera.

The media message engine 108 may also provide a message thumbnail 904via the display 402. In example embodiments, such a message thumbnail904 may be similar to one or more of the thumbnails 504, 602, 702described above with respect to the visual indicia of the play sequence502. In some examples, however, the message thumbnail 904 may be largerthan one or more of the thumbnails 504, 602, 702, and/or may have one ormore visual characteristics (e.g., highlighting, shading, a label, aframe, etc.) configured to make it easier for the user 116 todistinguish the message thumbnail 904 from one or more of the thumbnails504, 602, 702. For example, the message thumbnail 904 may be disposedabove, beneath, to the side of, and/or at any other location on thedisplay 402 such that the user 116 may easily identify the messagethumbnail 904 as being distinct from the thumbnails 504, 602, 702 and/orother visual indicia of the play sequence 502. In example embodiments,the message thumbnail 904 may comprise, for example, a first frameand/or any other image or content indicative of the digital mediamessage 114 being generated by the user 116. As a result, it may bedesirable for the media message engine 108 to present the messagethumbnail 904 with one or more visual characteristics enabling the user116 to identify the message thumbnail 904 with relative ease.

The example user interface 900 may also include one or more additionalcontrols configured to assist the user 116 in making furthermodifications to one or more of the digital content segments 112, theplay sequence, and/or other components of the digital media message 114.For example, the user interface 900 may include a control 906 configuredto enable the user 116 to add one or more cover images, cover videos,cover photos, and/or other content to the digital media message 114. Inexample embodiments, the media message engine 108 may receive an input,such as a touch input, indicative of selection of the control 906 by theuser 116. In response to receiving such an input, the media messageengine 108 may enable the user 116 to browse various photos, images,videos, and/or other content stored in the memory 304 and/or in thememory 204 of the server 102. Additionally and/or alternatively, inresponse to receiving such an input, the media message engine 108 mayenable the user 116 to perform a web-based search, such as via one ormore search engines or applications of the electronic device 104, forsuch content. The user 116 may be permitted to select one or more suchcontent items for use as, for example, a cover image and/or otherindicator of the digital media message 114 currently being generated.Upon selection of such a content item, the media message engine 108 mayadd the selected item to the play sequence of the digital media message114 and/or may combine the selected item with one or more contentsegments 112 of the digital media message 114.

Additionally, the user interface 900 may include one or more controls908 configured to enable the user 116 to add one or more audio clips,segments, files, and/or other content to the digital media message 114.In example embodiments, the media message engine 108 may receive aninput, such as a touch input, indicative of selection of the control 908by the user 116. In response to receiving such an input, the mediamessage engine 108 may enable the user 116 to browse various audio filesand/or other content stored in the memory 304 and/or in the memory 204of the server 102. Additionally and/or alternatively, in response toreceiving such an input, the media message engine 108 may enable theuser 116 to perform a web-based search, such as via one or more searchengines or applications of the electronic device 104, for such content.The user 116 may be permitted to select one or more such content items,and upon selection of such a content item, the media message engine 108may add the selected item to the play sequence of the digital mediamessage 114 and/or may combine the selected item with one or morecontent segments 112 of the digital media message 114.

The user interface 900 may further include one or more controls 910configured to enable the user 116 to modify one or more of the digitalcontent segments 112, the play sequence, and/or other components of thedigital media message 114. Such controls 910 may comprise, among otherthings, any audio, video, image, or other editing tools known in theart. In example embodiments, such controls 910 may provide editingfunctionality enabling the user 116 to delete, move, modify, augment,cut, paste, copy, save, or otherwise alter portions of each digitalcontent segment 112 as part of generating a digital media message 114.Additionally, one or more of the controls 910 may enable a user 116 toadd, remove, cut, paste, draw, rotate, flip, shade, color, fade, darken,and/or otherwise modify various aspects of the digital media message 114and/or various digital content segments 112 included in the playsequence thereof. In some embodiments, at least one of the controls 910may be similar to and/or the same as one or more of the controls 418described above.

The user interface 900 may also include one or more navigation controls912. Such navigation controls 912 may be substantially similar to and/orthe same as one or more of the navigation controls 416 described above.For example, at least one of the navigation controls 912 may comprise a“forward” control. Upon selection thereof by the user 116, the mediamessage engine 108 may enable the user 116 to browse forward to a nextuser interface configured to assist the user 116 in generating,modifying, and/or sharing the digital media message 114.

For example, the media message engine 108 may receive an input, such asa touch input, indicative of selection of the control 912 by the user116. In response to receiving such an input, the media message engine108 may provide the example user interface 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10.Such an example user interface 1000 may include, among other things, themessage thumbnail 904 indicating and/or otherwise identifying thedigital media message 114 that the user 116 desires to share. Such anexample user interface 1000 may also include a plurality of controlsconfigured to assist the user 116 in providing the digital media message114 for sharing with, for example, a remote electronic device 118, suchas via the network 106. For example, one or more of the controls 1002may enable the user 116 to add a title, a name, and/or other identifierto the media message 114 such that the media message 114 may be easilyrecognizable and/or identifiable by one or more users 120 of the remoteelectronic device 118. In some examples, the title and/or otheridentifier added to the media message 114 may be provided to the user120 simultaneously and/or otherwise in conjunction with the digitalmedia message 114 when the user 120 consumers at least a portion of thedigital media message 114 on the remote electronic device 118.

In addition, the user interface 1000 may include one or more controls1004, 1006 configured to enable the user 116 to privatize the digitalmedia message 114 prior to providing the digital media message 114 forsharing with a remote electronic device 118. For example, one or moresuch controls 1004 may enable the user 116 to encrypt and/or otherwiseconfigure the digital media message 114 such that only an approved user120 or plurality of users 120 may receive and/or access the digitalmedia message 114. In example embodiments, the media message engine 108may receive an input, such as a touch input, indicative of selection ofthe control 1004 by the user 116. In response to receiving such aninput, the media message engine 108 may enable the user 116 to browse,for example, an address book or other like directory stored in thememory 304 of the electronic device 104 and/or in the memory 204 of theserver 102. Upon browsing such a directory, the user 116 may select oneor more contacts approved by the user 116 to have access to the digitalmedia message 114. Additionally and/or alternatively, in response toreceiving such an input, the media message engine 108 may enable theuser 116 to password protect and/or otherwise encrypt the digital mediamessage 114 prior to sharing. In any of the example embodimentsdescribed herein, one or more of the controls 1006 may comprise a slidebar and/or other like icon indicating whether the user 116 hasprivatized the digital media message 114. For example, such a control1006 may change color, transition between a “no” indication and a “yes”indication, and/or may otherwise provide a visual indication of theprivacy status/level of the digital media message 114.

The user interface 1000 may also include one or more controls 1008configured to enable the user 116 to select one or more means ofproviding the digital media message 114 for sharing with a remoteelectronic device 118. For example, one or more such controls 1008 mayenable the user 116 to select from a plurality of common social mediawebsites and/or other portals useful in sharing the digital mediamessage 114. In such example embodiments, the media message engine 108may receive an input, such as a touch input, indicative of selection ofthe control 1008 by the user 116. In response to receiving such aninput, the media message engine 108 may enable the user 116 to access anexisting account on the selected social media portal. Once such anaccount has been accessed, the media message engine 108 may provide thedigital media message 114 to the selected social media portal forsharing with remote users 120 via the selected portal.

One or more such controls 1008 may also enable the user 116 to selectbetween email, text messaging (SMS), instant messaging, and/or otherlike means for sharing the digital media message 114. In such exampleembodiments, the media message engine 108 may receive an input, such asa touch input, indicative of selection of the control 1008 by the user116. In response to receiving such an input, the media message engine108 may enable the user 116 to browse, for example, an address book orother like directory stored in the memory 304 of the electronic device104 and/or in the memory 204 of the server 102. Upon browsing such adirectory, the user 116 may select one or more contacts with which theuser 116 desires to share the digital media message 114. Upon selectingsuch contacts, the user 116 may provide the digital media message 114 tothe selected users by providing an input, such as a touch input,indicative of selection of a share control 1010.

Illustrative Methods

FIG. 11 shows an illustrative method 1100 of generating an exampledigital media message 114. The example method 1100 is illustrated as acollection of steps in a logical flow diagram, which represents asequence of operations that can be implemented in hardware, software, ora combination thereof. In the context of software, the steps representcomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or moreprocessors, perform the recited operations. Generally,computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, and the like that perform particularfunctions or implement particular abstract data types. The order inwhich the operations are described is not intended to be construed as alimitation, and any number of the described steps can be combined in anyorder and/or in parallel to implement the process. For discussionpurposes, and unless otherwise specified, the method 1100 is describedwith reference to the environment 100 of FIG. 1.

At block 1102, the media message engine 108 may receive a first digitalcontent segment 112(1) via the electronic device 104. For example, insome embodiments the first digital content segment 112(1) may be one ofa video segment, an audio segment, a photo, an image, and/or other suchcontent. In some embodiments, receiving the first content segment 112(1)at block 1102 may include causing the electronic device 104 to capture afirst video segment, audio segment, photo, image, or other such contentusing one or more of the user interface devices 314. In such an example,the media message engine 108 may cause the captured first contentsegment 112(1) to be stored in the memory 304 and/or the memory 204 ofthe server 102 for future use.

Additionally, in some embodiments receiving the first content segment112(1) at block 1102 may include receiving input from the user 116, suchas a touch input received via the display 402, indicative of a selectionof a thumbnail 410 associated with the first digital content segment112(2). For example, as noted above with respect to at least FIG. 4, themedia message engine 108 may present a plurality of thumbnails 410 tothe user 116 via the display 402. In such embodiments, each thumbnail410 may represent a respective digital content segment 112 of aplurality of digital content segments stored in the memory 304 and/orthe memory 204. In such examples, the input received from the user 116may be indicative of a selection of a particular thumbnail 410corresponding to the first digital content segment 112(1). Accordingly,in such embodiments the media message engine 108 may receive the firstcontent segment 112(1) by way of the user 116 selecting the particularthumbnail 410 corresponding to the first digital content segment 112(1).

At block 1104, the media message engine 108 may associate the firstdigital content segment 112 with a respective first position in a playsequence of the digital media message 114 being generated. In suchexamples, the media message engine 108 may present visual indicia of theplay sequence 502 via the display 402, and a first portion and/orposition of the play sequence may correspond to the first digitalcontent segment 112(1). For example, the media message engine 108 maypresent a first thumbnail 504 corresponding to the first digital contentsegment 112(1) at a first position in the play sequence as an indicationthat the first content segment 112(1) has been associated with the firstposition.

At block 1106, the media message engine 108 may receive a second digitalcontent segment 112(2), and in some examples the second digital contentsegment 112(2) may be different from the first digital content segment112(1). In some embodiments, receiving the second content segment 112(2)at block 1106 may include causing the electronic device 104 to capture asecond video segment, audio segment, photo, image, or other such contentusing one or more of the user interface devices 314. Additionally, insome embodiments receiving the second content segment 112(2) at block1106 may include receiving input from the user 116, such as a touchinput received via the display 402, indicative of a selection of athumbnail 410(2) associated with the second digital content segment112(2).

At block 1108, the media message engine 108 may receive a third digitalcontent segment 112(3), and in some examples the third digital contentsegment 112(3) may be different from the first and second digitalcontent segments 112(1), 112(2) described above. For example, asdescribed above with respect to at least FIG. 5, in some embodiments theuser 116 may select a thumbnail 410(2) by touching and/or holding aportion of the display 402 corresponding to the desired thumbnail410(2). When such a thumbnail 410 is selected in this way, the mediamessage engine 108 may receive the image 508 and/or other second digitalcontent segment 112(2) corresponding to the selected thumbnail 410(2) atblock 1106. Additionally, the media message engine 108 may cause theimage 508 to be displayed by the display 402 at block 1106.Additionally, when the thumbnail 410(2) is touched and/or held in thisway, the media message engine 108 may also receive, at block 1108, athird digital content segment 112(3) as long as the surface and/orportion of the display 402 corresponding to the thumbnail 410(2) iscontacted by the hand 422 of the user 116. For example, in suchembodiments the third digital content segment 112(3) may comprise audioor other like input captured by a microphone or other user interfacedevice 314 of the electronic device 104 while the surface and/or portionof the display 402 corresponding to the thumbnail 410(2) is contacted bythe hand 422 of the user 116. In example embodiments, the first digitalcontent segment 112(1) may be captured by and/or received from a firstcomponent of the electronic device 104, and at least one of the secondand third digital content segments 112(2), 112(3) may be captured byand/or received from a second component of the electronic device 104different from the first component. For example, as noted above, any ofthe digital content segments 112 may be captured by and/or received fromone or more of the camera, video camera, microphone, web browser,network interface devices, user interface device 314, or other suchcomponents.

At block 1110, the media message engine 108 may combine, for example,the second digital content segment 112(2) received at block 1106 with atleast one of the first and third digital content segments 112(1),112(3). For example, at block 1110, the media message engine 108 mayform a combined segment by combining the second digital content segment112(2) with at least one of the first and third digital content segments112(1), 112(3). In such examples, the media message engine 108 mayconfigure the combined segment such that the second digital contentsegment 112(2) is presented simultaneously with at least one of thefirst and third digital content segments 112(1), 112(3) when the digitalmedia message 114 is played.

At block 1112, the media message engine 108 may associate the combinedsegment formed at block 1110 with the play sequence of the digital mediamessage 114. For example, in embodiments in which the media messageengine 108 combines the second content segment 112(2) with the thirddigital content segment 112(3) to form the combined segment at block1110, the first content segment 112 received at block 1102 may beassociated with a first position of the play sequence, and the combinedsegment may be associated with a second position of the play sequencefollowing and/or after the first position. In example embodiments, themedia message engine 108 may, at block 1110, add the second and thirddigital content segments 112(2), 112(3) to the play sequence of thedigital media message 114 such that the second digital content segment112(2) is presented simultaneously with at least one of the first andthird digital content segments 112(1), 112(3) when the digital mediamessage 114 is played.

At block 1114, the media message engine 108 may provide the digitalmedia message 114 for sharing with a remote electronic device 118, andthe digital media message 114 may include at least the combined segmentformed at block 1110. In further example embodiments, the digital mediamessage 114 may include at least the first, second, and third digitalcontent segments 112(1), 112(2), 112(3). In example embodiments,providing the digital media message 114 for sharing at block 1114 mayinclude, among other things, directing the digital media message 114,via the electronic device 104, to the network 106. Accordingly, thedigital media message 114 may be transferred over the network 106, andmay be provided to a remote user 120 via at least one of a text message,an email, and/or a website, such as a social media website.

In some example embodiments of the present disclosure, the systemsdescribed herein may enable the user of the device 104 to generate adigital media message 114 through a process that minimizes the number ofinputs required from the user. Such example embodiments may beadvantageous due to the simplicity of the digital media messagegeneration process, and due to the reduction in time and effort requiredto generate such messages 114. Accordingly, such embodiments may bewell-suited for generating and sharing digital media messages 114 as avehicle for substantially real-time content-rich communication betweenusers. FIGS. 12 and 13 show methods 1200, 1300 of generating digitalmedia messages 114 according to such example embodiments.

With reference to the method 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12, at block 1202,the media message engine 108 may receive one or more digital contentsegments 112 via the electronic device 104. For example, in someembodiments the one or more digital content segments 112 received atblock 1202 may be one of a video segment, an audio segment, a photo, animage, and/or other such content. In some embodiments, receiving thecontent segment 112 at block 1202 may include causing the electronicdevice 104 to capture a video segment, audio segment, photo, image, orother such content using one or more of the user interface devices 314.In such an example, the media message engine 108 may cause the capturedcontent segment 112 to be stored in the memory 304 and/or the memory 204of the server 102. Additionally, in some embodiments receiving thecontent segment 112 at block 1202 may include receiving input from theuser 116, such as a touch input received via the display 402. Such aninput may cause the one or more user interface devices 314 to capturethe content segment 112.

At block 1204, the media message engine 108 may present a plurality ofthumbnails 410 to the user 116 via the display 402. Example thumbnails410 are described herein with respect to at least FIG. 4. For example,each thumbnail 410 rendered at block 1204 may represent a respectivedigital content segment 112 of a plurality of digital content segmentsstored in the memory 304 and/or the memory 204. In some embodiments, afirst thumbnail 410(1) of the plurality of thumbnails 410 may berepresentative of a digital image stored in the memory 304 and/or thememory 204. Additionally, a second thumbnail 410(2) of the plurality ofthumbnails 410 may be representative of a digital video segment storedin the memory 304 and/or the memory 204. In such examples, thethumbnails 410 described herein may be rendered in the second portion408 of the display 402. For example, the first thumbnail 410(1) may berendered at a first location in the second portion 408, and the secondthumbnail 410(2) may be rendered at a second location in the secondportion 408 different from the first location. In such examples, theinput received from the user 116 via a particular thumbnail 410 may beindicative of a selection of either a digital image or a digital videosegment corresponding to the particular thumbnail 410.

At block 1206, the media message engine 108 may receive an input fromthe user 116, such as a touch input or a touch and hold input,indicative of a selection of the digital content segment 112 representedby a corresponding thumbnail 410. For example, in embodiments in which athumbnail 410(1) is representative of a digital image, a touch and holdinput received at the first location in which the thumbnail 410(1) isrendered may indicate selection of the digital image. At block 1208, themedia message engine 108 may cause the digital image corresponding tothe thumbnail 410(1) to be displayed in the first portion 404 of thedisplay 402 in response to the touch and hold input. Additionally, thethumbnail 410(1) corresponding to the digital image may be rendered inthe second portion 408 of the display 402, with a plurality ofadditional thumbnails 410, while the digital image is rendered withinthe first portion 404. As noted above, at least one of the additionalthumbnails 410 rendered in the second portion 408 may be representativeof a digital video segment. Further, in embodiments in which a thumbnail410(2) is representative of a digital video segment, a touch and holdinput received at the second location in which the thumbnail 410(2) isrendered may indicate selection of the digital video segment. In suchexamples, the media message engine 108 may cause at least part of thedigital video segment corresponding to the thumbnail 410(2) to bedisplayed (e.g., played) in the first portion 404 of the display 402 inresponse to the touch and hold input.

In some examples, the input may be received at block 1206 for a durationthat is defined by the length of time during which the hand 422 of theuser 116 contacts the display 402. For example, a touch and hold inputreceived at block 1206 may include a beginning at and/or otherwisecharacterized by the point in time at which the hand 422 first and/orinitially contacts the display 402. The touch and hold input may alsoinclude an end at and/or otherwise characterized by the point in time atwhich contact, such as continuous and/or substantially uninterruptedcontact, between the hand 422 and the display 402 is discontinued. Insuch examples, the touch and hold input may also include a durationdefined by the beginning and the end. For example, the duration of thetouch and hold input may be the amount of time elapsed between thebeginning and the end. Such a duration may be, for example, the amountof time during which uninterrupted contact between the hand 422 and thedisplay 402 is maintained.

As explained above with respect to at least FIG. 5, when a touch andhold input is received via one of the thumbnails 410 rendered in thefirst portion 408, the media message engine 108 may receive anadditional content segment as long as the surface and/or portion of thedisplay 402 corresponding to the thumbnail 410 is contacted by the hand422 of the user 116. For example, at block 1208 the media message engine108 may control one or more of the user interface devices 314 to capturean additional digital content segment 112 in response to the inputreceived at block 1206. In such embodiments the additional digitalcontent segment 112 may comprise an audio segment or other like inputcaptured by a microphone or other user interface device 314 of theelectronic device 104 while the surface and/or portion of the display402 corresponding to the thumbnail 410 is contacted by the hand 422 ofthe user 116. In example embodiments, the digital content segment 112received at block 1202 may be captured by and/or received from a firstcomponent of the electronic device 104, and the additional digitalcontent segment captured at block 1208 may be captured by and/orreceived from a second component of the electronic device 104 differentfrom the first component. For example, as noted above, any of thedigital content segments 112 described herein may be captured by and/orreceived from one or more of the camera, video camera, microphone, webbrowser, network interface devices, user interface devices 314, or othersuch components.

Additionally, a duration of the additional digital content segment 112captured at block 1208 may be defined by the duration of the touch andhold input received at 1206. For example, the additional digital contentsegment 112 may include a beginning corresponding to the beginning ofthe touch and hold input. The additional digital content segment 112 mayalso include an end corresponding to the end of the touch and holdinput. In such examples, the duration of the additional digital contentsegment 112 may be the amount of time elapsed between the beginning andthe end of the additional digital content segment 112, and such aduration may be equal to the duration of the touch and hold inputreceived at block 1206. For example, the initial contact between thedisplay 402 and the hand 422 of the user 116 may commence capturing ofthe additional digital content segment 112, and the discontinuation ofcontact between the display 402 and the hand 422 may cease capturing ofthe additional digital content segment 112.

At block 1210, the media message engine 108 may combine, in response tothe touch and hold input received at block 1206, for example, thedigital content segment 112 received at block 1202 with the additionaldigital content segment 112 captured at block 1208. For example, atblock 1210 the media message engine 108 may form a combined segment bycombining the digital image corresponding to the thumbnail 410 at whichthe input was received at block 1206, with the audio segment or otheradditional digital content segment 112 captured at block 1208. In suchexamples, the digital image may comprise at least a portion of a videotrack of the combined segment, and the audio segment may comprise atleast a portion of a corresponding but separate audio track of thecombined segment. In other examples, at block 1210 the media messageengine 108 may form a combined segment by combining the digital videosegment corresponding to the thumbnail 410 at which the input wasreceived at block 1206, with the audio segment or other additionaldigital content segment 112 captured at block 1208. In such an example,the digital video segment may already include an audio track and aseparate corresponding video track. Accordingly, at block 1210 the mediamessage engine 108 may replace at least a portion of (and in someexamples, all of) either the audio track or the video track of thedigital video segment with the additional digital content segment 112captured at block 1208. For example, at block 1210 the media messageengine 108 may replace at least a portion of the audio track of thedigital video segment corresponding to the thumbnail 410 at which theinput was received, with the audio segment captured at block 1208.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the media message engine 108may configure the combined segment formed at block 1210 such that thedigital content segments 112 included in the combined segment arepresented simultaneously when the digital media message 114 is played.For example, the media message engine 108 may configure the combinedsegment such that the digital image described above with respect toblock 1204 is presented simultaneously with the additional digitalcontent segment 112 (e.g., a digital audio segment) captured at block1208 when the digital media message 114 is played. In further examples,the media message engine 108 may configure the combined segment suchthat at least part of the video track of the digital video segmentdescribed above with respect to block 1204 is presented simultaneouslywith the additional digital content segment 112 (e.g., the digital audiosegment) captured at block 1208 when the digital media message 114 isplayed.

At block 1212, in some examples the media message engine 108 mayassociate the combined segment formed at block 1210 with a play sequenceof the digital media message 114. For example, the media message engine108 may dispose and/or otherwise associate the combined segment with arespective position of the play sequence. In some examples, the positionof the combined segment in the play sequence may comprise a firstposition of the play sequence, and one or more digital content segments112 may be included in the play sequence at other respective positionsdifferent from the first position. Such other respective positions maybe, for example, before or after the first position associated with thecombined segment. Alternatively, in some examples, the entire durationof the digital media message 114 may be equal to and/or may otherwise bedefined by the duration of the combined segment. In such examples, theentire play sequence may consist of the combined segment. Further, insuch examples, the duration of the digital media message 114 may beequal to and/or may otherwise be defined by the duration of one or moreof the digital content segments 112 used by the media message engine 108to generate the combined segment at block 1210. For example, theduration of the digital media message 114 may be equal to and/or mayotherwise be defined by the duration of the digital audio segmentcaptured at block 1208. In additional examples, the duration of thedigital media message 114 may be equal to and/or may otherwise bedefined by the sum of the duration of the digital audio segment capturedat block 1208 and an additional length of time during which at least aportion of the audio track of the digital video segment, and acorresponding portion of the video track of the digital video segment,are included in the combined segment.

At block 1214, the media message engine 108 may provide the digitalmedia message 114 for sharing with a remote electronic device 118, andthe digital media message 114 may include at least the combined segmentformed at block 1210. In example embodiments, providing the digitalmedia message 114 for sharing at block 1214 may include, among otherthings, directing the digital media message 114, via the electronicdevice 104, to the network 106. Accordingly, the digital media message114 may be transferred over the network 106, and may be provided to aremote user 120 via at least one of a text message, an email, and/or awebsite, such as a social media website.

With reference to the method 1300 illustrated in FIG. 13, at block 1302,the media message engine 108 may receive one or more digital contentsegments 112 via the electronic device 104. For example, in someembodiments the one or more digital content segments 112 received atblock 1302 may be one of a video segment, an audio segment, a photo, animage, and/or other such content. In some embodiments, receiving thecontent segment 112 at block 1302 may include causing the electronicdevice 104 to capture a video segment, audio segment, photo, image, orother such content using one or more of the user interface devices 314.In such an example, the media message engine 108 may cause the capturedcontent segment 112 to be stored in the memory 304 and/or the memory 204of the server 102. Additionally, in some embodiments receiving thecontent segment 112 at block 1302 may include receiving input from theuser 116, such as a touch input received via the display 402. Such aninput may cause the one or more user interface devices 314 to capturethe content segment 112. For the duration of this disclosure, thedigital content segment 112 received at block 1302 will be described asa digital video segment 112(1). Further, in some examples the digitalvideo segment 112(1) may include an audio track and a corresponding butseparate video track. Example audio and video tracks 1402, 1404 of thedigital video segment 112(1) are illustrated in FIG. 14 along with anexample user interface 1400.

At block 1304, the media message engine 108 may present a plurality ofthumbnails 410 to the user 116 via the display 402. For example, eachthumbnail 410 rendered at block 1304 may represent a respective digitalcontent segment 112 of a plurality of digital content segments stored inthe memory 304 and/or the memory 204. In some embodiments, a firstthumbnail 410(1) of the plurality of thumbnails 410 may berepresentative of the digital video segment 112(1) stored in the memory304 and/or the memory 204. As shown in FIG. 14, the thumbnails 410 maybe rendered in the second portion 408 of the display 402. For example,the first thumbnail 410(1) may be rendered at a first location in thesecond portion 408, and at least one additional thumbnail 410(2) may berendered at a second location in the second portion 408 different fromthe first location.

At block 1306, the media message engine 108 may receive an input fromthe user 116, such as a touch input or a touch and hold input,indicative of a selection of the digital content segment 112 representedby a corresponding thumbnail 410. For example, in embodiments in whichthe thumbnail 410(1) is representative of the digital video segment112(1), a touch and hold input received at the first location in whichthe thumbnail 410(1) is rendered may indicate selection of the digitalvideo segment 112(1). At block 1308, the media message engine 108 maycause at least part 1406 of the digital video segment 112(1)corresponding to the thumbnail 410(1) to be displayed (e.g., played) inthe first portion 404 of the display 402 in response to the touch andhold input. Additionally, the thumbnail 410(1) corresponding to thedigital video segment 112(1) may be rendered in the second portion 408of the display 402, with a plurality of additional thumbnails 410, whilethe digital video segment 112(1) is played in the first portion 404.

Similar to the input described above with respect to block 1206 of FIG.12, the input may be received at block 1306 for a duration that isdefined by the length of time during which a hand 422 (e.g., one of aright hand or a left hand) of the user 116 contacts the display 402. Forexample, a touch and hold input received at block 1306 may include abeginning at and/or otherwise characterized by the point in time atwhich the hand 422 first and/or initially contacts the display 402. Thetouch and hold input may also include an end at and/or otherwisecharacterized by the point in time at which contact, such as continuousand/or substantially uninterrupted contact, between the hand 422 and thedisplay 402 is discontinued. In such examples, the touch and hold inputmay also include a duration defined by the beginning and the end. Forexample, the duration of the touch and hold input may be the amount oftime elapsed between the beginning and the end. Such a duration may be,for example, the amount of time during which uninterrupted contactbetween the hand 422 and the display 402 is maintained.

When the touch and hold input is received via the thumbnail 410(1), themedia message engine 108 may receive an additional content segment aslong as the surface and/or portion of the display 402 corresponding tothe thumbnail 410(1) is contacted by the hand 422 of the user 116. Forexample, at block 1308 the media message engine 108 may control one ormore of the user interface devices 314 to capture an additional digitalcontent segment 112 in response to the input received at block 1306. Inthe example method 1300 of FIG. 13, the additional digital contentsegment 112 may comprise an audio segment 112(2), such as a digitalaudio segment or other like input captured by a microphone or other userinterface device 314 of the electronic device 104 while the surfaceand/or portion of the display 402 corresponding to the thumbnail 410(1)is contacted by the hand 422 of the user 116.

Additionally, a duration of the audio segment 112(2) captured at block1308 may be defined by the duration of the touch and hold input receivedat 1306. For example, the audio segment 112(2) may include a beginningcorresponding to the beginning of the touch and hold input. The audiosegment 112(2) may also include an end corresponding to the end of thetouch and hold input. In such examples, the duration of the audiosegment 112(2) may be the amount of time elapsed between the beginningand the end of the audio segment 112(2), and such a duration may beequal to the duration of the touch and hold input received at block1306. For example, the initial contact between the display 402 and thehand 422 of the user 116 may commence capturing of the audio segment112(2), and the discontinuation of contact between the display 402 andthe hand 422 may cease capturing of the audio segment 112(2).

At block 1310, the media message engine 108 may form a combined segmentfor inclusion in the digital media message 114. In particular, the mediamessage engine 108 may combine, in response to the touch and hold inputreceived at block 1306, for example, the digital video segment 112(1)received at block 1302 with the digital audio segment 112(2) captured atblock 1308. In such an example, the digital video segment 112(1) mayinclude the audio track 1402 and video track 1404 described above withrespect to FIG. 14. Accordingly, at block 1310 the media message engine108 may replace at least a portion of (and in some examples, all of) theaudio track 1402 of the digital video segment 112(1) corresponding tothe thumbnail 410(1) at which the input was received, with the audiosegment 112(2) captured at block 1308. In such examples, the audiosegment 112(2) will be merged and/or otherwise combined with acorresponding portion 1408 of the video track 1404, and together, theaudio segment 112(2) and the corresponding portion 1408 of the videotrack 1404 may comprise at least part of the combined segment formed bythe media message engine 108 at block 1310.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the media message engine 108may configure the combined segment formed at block 1310 such that thedigital content segments 112 included in the combined segment arepresented simultaneously when the digital media message 114 is played.For example, the media message engine 108 may configure the combinedsegment such that the portion 1408 of the video track 1404 is presentedsimultaneously with the audio segment 112(2) captured at block 1308 whenthe digital media message 114 is played.

In some examples, the entire duration of the digital media message 114may be equal to and/or may otherwise be defined by the duration of thecombined segment. In such examples, the digital media message 114 may becomprised entirely of the combined segment. Further, in such examples,the duration of the digital media message 114 may be equal to and/or mayotherwise be defined by the duration of one or more of the digitalcontent segments 112 used by the media message engine 108 to generatethe combined segment at block 1310. For example, the duration of thedigital media message 114 may be equal to and/or may otherwise bedefined by the duration of the digital audio segment 112(2) captured atblock 1308. In additional examples, the duration of the digital mediamessage 114 may be equal to and/or may otherwise be defined by the sumof the duration of the audio segment 112(2) and a duration of aremainder 1410 of the video track 1404. In such examples, the durationof the digital media message 114 may be equal to and/or may otherwise bedefined by the duration of the digital video segment 112(1).

In some examples, more than one touch and hold inputs and/or otherinputs may be received during the generation of a digital media message114. For example, the input described above with respect to block 1306may comprise a first touch and hold input, and a second touch and holdor other input may be received from the user 116 at block 1312. In someexamples, the second touch and hold input may be received at block 1312via the display 402 (e.g., via the first portion 404 of the display 402)while the first touch and hold input is being received. Such an exampleis illustrated by the user interface 1500 shown in FIG. 15. In theexample of FIG. 15, the initial contact between the display 402 and afirst hand 422(1) of the user 116 may commence capturing of the audiosegment 112(2), and receiving the second touch and hold input at block1312 via a second hand 422(2) of the user 116, while the first input isbeing received in the second portion 408, may at least temporarily ceasecapturing of the audio segment 112(2). As a result, at least a portionof a remainder 1502 of the audio track 1402 may be included in thecombined segment and/or in the resulting digital media message 114 witha corresponding portion of the remainder 1410 of the video track 1404.In particular, the remainder 1502 of the audio track 1402 may bepresented simultaneously with the corresponding remainder 1410 of thevideo track 1404 when the digital media message 114 is played.Accordingly, in such examples, a duration of the digital media message114 may be defined by the duration of the first touch and hold inputreceived at block 1306, and the duration of the second touch and holdinput received at block 1312 may be less than the duration of the firsttouch and hold input received at block 1306.

In some examples, more than one touch and hold input and/or other inputmay be received from the user 116 at block 1312 (e.g., via the firstportion 404 of the display 402) while the first touch and hold input isbeing received. For example, as noted above, receiving the second touchand hold input at block 1312 via the second hand 422(2) of the user 116,while the first input is being received in the second portion 408, mayat least temporarily cease capturing of the audio segment 112(2). Aslong as the first hand 422(1) remains in contact with the second portion408 (e.g., at the thumbnail 410(1)), however, the media message engine108 may add a first portion 1504 of the remainder 1502 of the audiotrack 1402 to the digital media message 114 along with a correspondingfirst portion 1506 of the remainder 1410 of the video track 1404. Inthis way, the first portions 1504, 1506 will be presented simultaneouslywhen the digital media message 114 is played. Moreover, receiving anadditional (e.g., a third) touch and hold input at block 1312 via thesecond hand 422(2) of the user 116, while the first input is beingreceived in the second portion 408, may cause device 104 to capture yetanother audio segment 112(3). For example, in response to receiving sucha third touch and hold input at block 1312, the processor 302 and/or themedia message engine 108 may control the microphone or other userinterface device 314 of the electronic device 104 to capture the audiosegment 112(3).

Additionally, a duration of the audio segment 112(3) may be defined bythe duration of the corresponding third touch and hold input. Forexample, the audio segment 112(3) may include a beginning correspondingto the beginning of the third touch and hold input, and an endcorresponding to the end of the third touch and hold input. In suchexamples, the duration of the audio segment 112(3) may be the amount oftime elapsed between the beginning and the end thereof, and such aduration may be equal to the duration of the third touch and hold inputreceived at block 1206. For example, the initial contact between thedisplay 402 and the hand 422 of the user 116 associated with the thirdtouch and hold input may commence capturing of the audio segment 112(3),and the discontinuation of contact between the display 402 and the hand422 associated with the third touch and hold input may cease capturingof the audio segment 112(3).

In such examples, the media message engine 108 may combine, at leastpartly in response to the third touch and hold input, the digital videosegment 112 received at block 1302 with the additional audio segment112(3). For example, the media message engine 108 may replace at least aportion of the remainder 1502 of the audio track 1402 with theadditional audio segment 112(3). In this way, the media message engine108 may configure the combined segment such a second portion 1508 of theremainder 1410 of the video track 1404 is presented simultaneously withthe audio segment 112(3) when the digital media message 114 is played.Such steps may be repeated numerous times in order to create thecombined segment described above. Accordingly, additional touch and holdinputs may cause additional corresponding audio segments 112 to becaptured and included in the combined segment. In any of the examplesdescribed with respect to FIG. 13, the duration of the combined segmentmay be defined by and/or equal to the duration of the underlying digitalvideo segment 112(1).

At block 1314, the media message engine 108 may provide the digitalmedia message 114 for sharing with a remote electronic device 118, andthe digital media message 114 may include at least the combined segmentformed at block 1310. In example embodiments, providing the digitalmedia message 114 for sharing at block 1314 may include, among otherthings, directing the digital media message 114, via the electronicdevice 104, to the network 106. Accordingly, similar to the processdescribed above with respect to block 1214 of FIG. 12, the digital mediamessage 114 may be transferred over the network 106, and may be providedto a remote user 120 via at least one of a text message, an email,and/or a website, such as a social media website.

In any of the example embodiments described herein, replacing, forexample, a portion of a first digital content segment 112(1) (e.g., atleast a portion of a video track 1404 of a digital video segment) with asecond digital content segment 112(2) (e.g., a digital image) may reducethe file size and/or memory requirements of the first digital contentsegment 112(1) and/or of a combined segment formed by combining thesecond digital content segment 112(2) with the first digital contentsegment 112(1). In some examples, a replaced portion of a video track1404 of the first digital content segment 112(1) may be rendered atapproximately 300 frames/second for a duration of the portion of thevideo track 1404, and would be characterized by a commensurate memoryand/or file size (e.g., in bytes). The digital image of the seconddigital content segment 112(2), on the other hand, may comprise a singleframe that will be rendered for the duration of the replaced portion ofthe video track 1404. Thus, replacing a portion of the video track 1404of the first digital content segment 112(1) with the digital image ofthe second digital content segment 112(2) may reduce the number offrames/second of the combined segment, thereby reducing the file sizethereof relative to the unaltered first digital content segment 112(1).As a result, a digital media message 114 generated using such techniqueswill have a smaller file size and will require/take up less memory thana corresponding digital media message generated using the first digitalcontent segment 112(1) with the video track 1404 unchanged (e.g.,without replacing a portion of the video track 1404 with a selecteddigital image).

Reducing the file size and/or memory requirements of digital mediamessages 114 in this way has many technical effects and/or advantages.For example, such a reduction in file size and/or memory requirementswill enable the various networks 106, servers 102, and/or electronicdevices 104, 118 described herein to transfer such digital mediamessages 114 more quickly and with fewer network, server, and/or deviceresources. As a result, such a reduction in file size and/or memoryrequirements will reduce overall network load/traffic, and will improvenetwork, server, and/or electronic device performance. As anotherexample, such a reduction in file size and/or memory requirements willenable the various networks 106, servers 102, and/or electronic devices104, 118 described herein to provide, render, display, and/or otherwiseprocess such digital media messages 114 more quickly and with fewernetwork, server, and/or device resources. In particular, such a reducedfile size may reduce the server and/or electronic device memory requiredto receive and/or store such messages 114. Such a reduced file size mayalso reduce the server and/or electronic device processor load requiredto provide, render, display, and/or otherwise process such digital mediamessages 114. As a result, such a reduction in file size and/or memoryrequirements will reduce overall network load/traffic, and will improvenetwork, server, and/or electronic device performance and efficiency.

In summary, example embodiments of the present disclosure providedevices and methods for generating digital media messages as a means forcommunication between users in remote locations. Such digital mediamessages include various combinations of audio, video, images, photos,and/or other digital content segments, and can be quickly and artfullycreated by each user with little effort. For example, the user maycombine a wide variety, and a large number, of different digital contentsegments into a single digital media message. The methods of generatingsuch a digital media message described herein enable the user to utilizea wide array of audio, video, and/or photo editing controls to quicklyand easily modify each individual content segment, or combinationsthereof. As a result, such methods provide the user with great artisticfreedom in creating the digital media message. Additionally, the methodsdescribed herein may be performed using a minimum number of gestures orother such inputs. As a result, such methods enable the user to generatecontent-rich digital media messages 114 relatively quickly, therebyfacilitating the use of such digital media messages as an efficientmeans of communication.

CONCLUSION

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms ofimplementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumincluding one or more sequences of instructions that, when executed byone or more processors, causes: rendering a thumbnail at a particularlocation on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, thethumbnail being representative of a digital video segment correspondingto the thumbnail, wherein the digital video segment is stored in amemory associated with the electronic device, the digital video segmentincluding an audio track and a video track; receiving a touch and holdinput at the particular location, wherein the touch and hold inputindicates selection of the digital video segment; while receiving thetouch and hold input, capturing an audio segment, using a microphone ofthe electronic device, the audio segment having a duration correspondingto a first period of time over which the touch and hold input isreceived; and combining the digital video segment and the audio segmentinto a digital media message in response to the touch and hold inputsuch that the audio segment replaces at least part of the audio track ofthe digital video segment, the video track of the digital video segmentbeing presented simultaneously with the audio segment when the digitalmedia message is played, and a second period of time that the videotrack is presented is determined based on the duration of the audiosegment.
 2. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 1,wherein the digital video segment image corresponding to the thumbnailis rendered within a first portion of the display in response to thetouch and hold input.
 3. The computer-readable storage medium as recitedin claim 2, wherein the thumbnail is rendered in a second portion of thedisplay, with at least one additional thumbnail, while the digital videosegment is rendered within the first portion, the at least oneadditional thumbnail being representative of a digital video segmentstored in the memory.
 4. The computer-readable storage medium as recitedin claim 1, wherein: a beginning of the touch and hold input ischaracterized by an initial contact between the display and a hand of auser of the electronic device, an end of the touch and hold input ischaracterized by a discontinuation of contact between the display andthe hand, the hand maintains contact with the display for the durationof the touch and hold input, the initial contact between the display andthe hand commences capturing of the digital content segment, and thediscontinuation of contact ceases capturing of the digital contentsegment.
 5. The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 1,wherein the video track of the digital video segment comprises a singleframe corresponding to a still image.
 6. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium including one or more sequences ofinstructions that, when executed by one or more processors, causes:rendering a thumbnail at a particular location on a touch-sensitivedisplay of an electronic device, the thumbnail being representative of adigital video segment corresponding to the thumbnail, wherein thedigital video segment is stored in a memory associated with theelectronic device, the digital video segment including an audio trackand a video track; receiving a touch and hold input at the particularlocation, wherein the touch and hold input indicates selection of thedigital video segment and comprises a beginning, an end, and a durationdefined by the beginning and the end; while receiving the touch and holdinput, capturing a digital audio segment, using a microphone of theelectronic device, the digital audio segment having a durationcorresponding to a first period of time over which the touch and holdinput is received in response to the touch and hold input; and combiningthe digital video segment and the digital audio segment into a digitalmedia message in response to the touch and hold input such that thedigital audio segment replaces at least part of the audio track of thedigital video segment, and such that the video track of the digitalvideo segment is presented simultaneously with the digital audio segmentwhen the digital media message is played, and wherein a second period oftime that the video track is presented is determined based on theduration of the digital audio segment.
 7. The computer-readable storagemedium as recited in claim 6, wherein a duration of the digital mediamessage is defined by the duration of the digital audio segment.
 8. Thecomputer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 6, wherein: thebeginning of the touch and hold input is characterized by an initialcontact between the display and a hand of a user of the electronicdevice, the end of the touch and hold input is characterized by adiscontinuation of contact between the display and the hand, the handmaintains contact with the display for the duration of the touch andhold input, the touch and hold input comprises a first touch and holdinput, the initial contact between the display and the hand commencescapturing of the digital audio segment, and the discontinuation ofcontact ceases capturing of the digital audio segment.
 9. Thecomputer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 8, wherein theinstructions further cause receiving a second touch and hold input viathe display while receiving the first touch and hold input, wherein: theinitial contact between the display and the hand commences capturing ofthe digital audio segment, and receipt of the second touch and holdinput ceases capturing of the digital audio segment.
 10. Thecomputer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 9, wherein: the atleast part of the audio track of the digital video segment comprises afirst part of the audio track, receipt of the second touch and holdinput causes a second part of the audio track to be presentedsimultaneously with a corresponding part of the video track when thedigital media message is played, and a duration of the second touch andhold input is less than the duration of the first touch and hold input.11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including one ormore sequences of instructions that, when executed by one or moreprocessors, causes: rendering a plurality of thumbnails on atouch-sensitive display of an electronic device, a first thumbnail ofthe plurality of thumbnails being rendered at a first location on thedisplay and being representative of digital image stored in a memoryassociated with the electronic device, and a second thumbnail of theplurality of thumbnails being rendered at a second location on thedisplay different from the first location and being representative of adigital video segment stored in the memory; receiving a touch and holdinput at the first location, wherein the touch and hold input indicatesselection of the digital image; capturing a first digital audio segment,using a microphone of the electronic device, in response to the touchand hold input; and combining the first digital audio segment with thedigital image into a digital media message in response to the touch andhold input such that the digital image is presented simultaneously withthe first digital audio segment when the digital media message is playedand where a period of time that the digital image is presented isdetermined based on a duration of the first digital audio segment. 12.The computer-readable storage medium as recited in claim 11, wherein: aninitial contact between the display and a hand of a user of the devicecommences capturing of the first digital audio segment, and adiscontinuation of contact between the display and the hand ceasescapturing of the first digital audio segment.
 13. The computer-readablestorage medium as recited in claim 12, wherein the instructions furthercause: receiving a second touch and hold input at the second locationcorresponding to the representation of the digital video segment,wherein the touch and hold input indicates selection of the digitalvideo segment; capturing a second digital audio segment, using themicrophone of the electronic device, in response to the second touch andhold input; combining the second digital audio segment with the digitalvideo segment into a digital media message, wherein: the digital videosegment includes an audio track and a video track, and combining thedigital audio segment with the digital video segment includes replacingat least part of the audio track with the second digital audio segmentsuch that the video track of the digital video segment is presentedsimultaneously with the second digital audio segment when the digitalmedia message is played.
 14. A system comprising: one or moreprocessors; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumincluding one or more sequences of instructions that, when executed bythe one or more processors, causes: rendering a thumbnail at aparticular location on a touch-sensitive display of an electronicdevice, the thumbnail being representative of a digital video segmentcorresponding to the thumbnail, wherein the digital video segment isstored in a memory associated with the electronic device, the digitalvideo segment including an audio track and a video track; receiving atouch and hold input at the particular location, wherein the touch andhold input indicates selection of the digital video segment; whilereceiving the touch and hold input, capturing an audio segment, using amicrophone of the electronic device, the audio segment having a durationcorresponding to a first period of time over which the touch and holdinput is received; and combining the digital video segment and the audiosegment into a digital media message in response to the touch and holdinput such that the audio segment replaces at least part of the audiotrack of the digital video segment, the video track of the digital videosegment being presented simultaneously with the audio segment when thedigital media message is played, and a second period of time that thevideo track is presented is determined based on the duration of theaudio segment.
 15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein thedigital video segment image corresponding to the thumbnail is renderedwithin a first portion of the display in response to the touch and holdinput.
 16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the thumbnail isrendered in a second portion of the display, with at least oneadditional thumbnail, while the digital video segment is rendered withinthe first portion, the at least one additional thumbnail beingrepresentative of a digital video segment stored in the memory.
 17. Thesystem as recited in claim 14, wherein: a beginning of the touch andhold input is characterized by an initial contact between the displayand a hand of a user of the electronic device, an end of the touch andhold input is characterized by a discontinuation of contact between thedisplay and the hand, the hand maintains contact with the display forthe duration of the touch and hold input, the initial contact betweenthe display and the hand commences capturing of the digital contentsegment, and the discontinuation of contact ceases capturing of thedigital content segment.
 18. The system as recited in claim 14, whereinthe video track of the digital video segment comprises a single framecorresponding to a still image.
 19. A system comprising: one or moreprocessors; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumincluding one or more sequences of instructions that, when executed bythe one or more processors, causes: rendering a thumbnail at aparticular location on a touch-sensitive display of an electronicdevice, the thumbnail being representative of a digital video segmentcorresponding to the thumbnail, wherein the digital video segment isstored in a memory associated with the electronic device, the digitalvideo segment including an audio track and a video track; receiving atouch and hold input at the particular location, wherein the touch andhold input indicates selection of the digital video segment andcomprises a beginning, an end, and a duration defined by the beginningand the end; while receiving the touch and hold input, capturing adigital audio segment, using a microphone of the electronic device, thedigital audio segment having a duration corresponding to a first periodof time over which the touch and hold input is received in response tothe touch and hold input; and combining the digital video segment andthe digital audio segment into a digital media message in response tothe touch and hold input such that the digital audio segment replaces atleast part of the audio track of the digital video segment, and suchthat the video track of the digital video segment is presentedsimultaneously with the digital audio segment when the digital mediamessage is played, and wherein a second period of time that the videotrack is presented is determined based on the duration of the digitalaudio segment.
 20. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein a durationof the digital media message is defined by the duration of the digitalaudio segment.
 21. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein: thebeginning of the touch and hold input is characterized by an initialcontact between the display and a hand of a user of the electronicdevice, the end of the touch and hold input is characterized by adiscontinuation of contact between the display and the hand, the handmaintains contact with the display for the duration of the touch andhold input, the touch and hold input comprises a first touch and holdinput, the initial contact between the display and the hand commencescapturing of the digital audio segment, and the discontinuation ofcontact ceases capturing of the digital audio segment.
 22. The system asrecited in claim 21, wherein the instructions further cause receiving asecond touch and hold input via the display while receiving the firsttouch and hold input, wherein: the initial contact between the displayand the hand commences capturing of the digital audio segment, andreceipt of the second touch and hold input ceases capturing of thedigital audio segment.
 23. The system as recited in claim 22, wherein:the at least part of the audio track of the digital video segmentcomprises a first part of the audio track, receipt of the second touchand hold input causes a second part of the audio track to be presentedsimultaneously with a corresponding part of the video track when thedigital media message is played, and a duration of the second touch andhold input is less than the duration of the first touch and hold input.24. A system comprising: one or more processors; and a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium including one or more sequences ofinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes:rendering a plurality of thumbnails on a touch-sensitive display of anelectronic device, a first thumbnail of the plurality of thumbnailsbeing rendered at a first location on the display and beingrepresentative of digital image stored in a memory associated with theelectronic device, and a second thumbnail of the plurality of thumbnailsbeing rendered at a second location on the display different from thefirst location and being representative of a digital video segmentstored in the memory; receiving a touch and hold input at the firstlocation, wherein the touch and hold input indicates selection of thedigital image; capturing a first digital audio segment, using amicrophone of the electronic device, in response to the touch and holdinput; and combining the first digital audio segment with the digitalimage into a digital media message in response to the touch and holdinput such that the digital image is presented simultaneously with thefirst digital audio segment when the digital media message is played andwhere a period of time that the digital image is presented is determinedbased on a duration of the first digital audio segment.
 25. The systemas recited in claim 24, wherein: an initial contact between the displayand a hand of a user of the device commences capturing of the firstdigital audio segment, and a discontinuation of contact between thedisplay and the hand ceases capturing of the first digital audiosegment.
 26. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the instructionsfurther cause: receiving a second touch and hold input at the secondlocation corresponding to the representation of the digital videosegment, wherein the touch and hold input indicates selection of thedigital video segment; capturing a second digital audio segment, usingthe microphone of the electronic device, in response to the second touchand hold input; combining the second digital audio segment with thedigital video segment into a digital media message, wherein: the digitalvideo segment includes an audio track and a video track, and combiningthe digital audio segment with the digital video segment includesreplacing at least part of the audio track with the second digital audiosegment such that the video track of the digital video segment ispresented simultaneously with the second digital audio segment when thedigital media message is played.